In an effort to remove threats against the state of Israel, the U.S. and Israel launched a joint operation, sending wide-ranging missile strikes across Iran on February 28.
On February 28, missile strikes sent by the US and Israel hit Iran, killing the country’s rahbar, or supreme leader.
Two weeks following the attack, the US and Iran have agreed to a conditional ceasefire on the premise that the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route for oil and other goods from the Gulf, is reopened.
According to the BBC, despite the initial remarks of the attack being a “pre-emptive” precaution against a potential nuclear attack by Iran from the Israeli defense minister, the U.S., Israel, and Iran’s intertwined history are major underlying reasons behind the war. “Israel and the U.S. – its closest ally – have been arch-foes of Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979,” the BBC said. “Since then, they have claimed Iran has been trying to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.”
In the midst of attacks, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed alongside other senior Iranian figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (the primary force of Iran’s armed forces).
“Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was named as his successor on March 8,” BBC said.
In response to the U.S. and Israel’s jointly launched operation, Iran struck back.
“Iran has described the U.S. and Israeli strikes as ‘unprovoked’ and ‘illegitimate’, and has carried out widespread missile and drone attacks in response,” the BBC said. “The IRGC said it had targeted Israeli government and military sites in Tel Aviv and elsewhere. There have also been strikes in countries hosting US bases – Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait – and US-allied Oman and Saudi Arabia.”
According to NPR, Trump’s goals surrounding the war remain the same: “putting an end to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, destroying its military capabilities and initiating regime change.”
As a result of the war, Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz has put significant strain on the economy, one that had not existed before the conflict.
“Gulf states reported attacks on oil infrastructure, and Iranian state media said the Strait of Hormuz was being closed again in response to Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, the base of Iran’s proxy militia, Hezbollah,” NPR said. “Iran’s shutdown of the vital oil chokepoint has led to increased gas prices across the world.”